Police arrest Bethany man with 8 guns after he crashes his pickup truck into 2 cars in New Haven

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Police arrest Bethany man with 8 guns after he crashes his pickup truck into 2 cars in New Haven

NEW HAVEN – A Bethany man was arrested on multiple charges after police said he pointed a gun at someone in a New Haven parking lot after crashing his pickup truck into them.

Just after 6 p.m. police went to the Ikea parking lot to investigate a car crash. Witnesses told police the driver of a pickup truck that had crashed into them had a gun and was pointing it at people in the parking lot. As police were on their way, another call came in from a different driver who said the same pickup truck had hit his Audi and that the driver pulled a gun on him.

When police got there,the pickup driver was walking away. Police commanded him to stop and raise his arms but instead, the man reached toward his waist. They commended him again to raise his arms, which he did for a second but then he put his hands into his pockets. With guns drawn, the officers again told him to show his hands. He pulled them from his pockets, dropping coins to the ground.

Police arrested Donald Long, 66, of Bethany, CT, who appeared to be drunk. He had an empty gun holster on his waist. Long told police that he was a registered gun owner and had guns in the truck. Police said that while the officers searched his truck, Long told them he’d had “several shots of Bourbon” and told them: “I’m obviously not a good drinker”.

Police said the Audi driver told them Long was driving quickly, swerving in an out of traffic. He told police Long’s pickup hit his car on Brewery Street near the Ikea lot entrance. He said his passenger ran after Long as he entered the lot. The passenger said Long pointed a gun at him and kept going, until he crashed into a white Range Rover. The passenger kept up with Long who, according to another witness, pointed the gun at him again and threatened to fire. The witness told police that he believed it was when Long saw several people on their phones, that he put the gun in the truck. Another witness told police that when the Audi passenger told Long not to move until police arrived, Long shouted some vulgarities and again pointed the gun at him and threatened to shoot.

Police said Long claimed a medical condition prevented him from performing any field sobriety tests. He asked for medical attention and an ambulance was summoned. Long’s gun permits were in order. All but one were registered to him. His pick-up’s registration had expired for a year ago.

Police said Long was taken away by an ambulance. At the hospital, Long submitted to a blood alcohol test. Once the results are reported, Long could face additional charges. The guns and ammo were confiscated and Long’s truck was taken away by a tow truck.

He was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree breach of peace, interfering with police, carrying a firearm while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, drving while under the influence, evading responsibility, first-degree threatening and reckless driving.